“Can we go up for seconds,” a nervous sophomore asked her friend, as she sat in the Testa atrium, holding her now-empty gelato cup.
The College hosted its third annual gelato tasting, sponsored by the Assumption Rome Campus, on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. They had different flavors of gelato, including vanilla, strawberry and lemon. Quite a few students actually slipped out of the event right after grabbing their gelato, before the introduction at 7:30.
The Rome campus coordinator, Richard Bonanno introduced the event. Several students who attended the Rome campus last semester, spoke.
One particular student who spoke to the crowd, was junior, Zach Symkowitz.
“My biggest worry was the financial cost of the trip, but luckily, all of my financial aid carried over and I was able to attend for the same price as a semester at Assumption. Rome and especially Florence, truly become your classroom. You get to be there, looking right at lots of major works of art in person. […] I can’t say enough about how much the city in Italy actually becomes a part of the curriculum. Also, there’s a personal Italian chef who cooks three times a day for you,” said Symkowitz.
Bonano spoke to the group in Testa after the students had finished sharing their experiences.
“[It is important that you all] talk to your advisors. Be sure that you see Dean Knowlton tonight. Be sure to get the ball rolling.” Bonano noted.
Dean Knowlton offered some advice to those who were in attendance who wish to apply to study in Rome during the spring.
“There are a few things that you need to make sure that you have done before you go. You must have taken the first course of philosophy, literature and theology. You must also have a 2.75 GPA,” she said.
Raffle winners were chosen and announced. A number of items raffled off. A few of the winners included first-year, Macee Buckley, first-year, Joseph Raffa and senior, Amanda Ceferatti. A small group of students stayed in the Testa building until 8 p.m., speaking with the students who studied at the Rome campus last semester.
According to Assumption.edu, requirements for applying to the Assumption College Rome program includes a fully-completed application to the program, a reccomendation letter from a faculty member of your choice (in a sealed, signed envelope), a copy of the student’s official college transcript, (available from the registrar) and a valid copy of the student’s passport. Students interested must also undergo an interview, with the director of the program folliwing their application.
Applications for applying to spend a semester on the Rome campus in spring 2016 are due this month, on October 15. For more information, please contact Dr. Eloise Knowlton, Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The application form can be found at: https://www.assumption.edu/sites/default/files/romeapp.pdf
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